Outdoor Living

Get sweet on citrus

Treat your senses by growing acidic fruit plants in your home

Citrus has an unfortunate reputation for being difficult to grow. While it's true that most Canadians aren't going to be able to grow an orange grove in their backyard, anyone with a bright window and a little love to give can enjoy citrus in their home throughout the year.

Photograph by: JackF
, Fotolia.com

According to feng shui, a citrus plant wards off negative forces in the home and provides a beacon of positive energy. When you smell a calamondin orange in intoxicating bloom and see its rich, luscious leaves, it's easy to understand why.

Citrus has an unfortunate reputation for being difficult to grow. While it's true that Edmontonians aren't going to be able to grow an orange grove in their backyard, anyone with a bright window and a little love to give can enjoy citrus in their home throughout the year.

Citrus's tendency to bloom and fruit during winter makes it a holiday favourite. It's also a traditional gift given over the Chinese New Year, which falls on Feb. 10 next year.

Best varieties to grow

Many varieties are well suited to growing indoors. Acidic fruits such as calamondin oranges, lemons and limes are miniature plants, not growing past three to four feet, that are well suited to normal household conditions.

Sweet fruits - such as naval and blood oranges, grapefruits and kumquats - need more space, light, and heat than our homes can give them, so sadly you'll still need to get those breakfast grapefruits from the supermarket.

Availability can be elusive, so call around to large garden centres to find citrus for sale. Before you buy, check for yellowing leaves, which indicate improper watering. Give the plant a gentle shake, and if leaves flutter down it probably hasn't been properly cared for in the store.

Caring for your citrus

Luckily, acidic citrus varieties thrive in temperatures of about 20 C during the day and a couple degrees cooler at night. If it's too cool, you will know, because the fruit won't ripen. Try not to subject these plants to anything under 7 C; frost will definitely kill them.

Give your citrus as much light as possible. Even though you won't need to add a supplemental grow light for an acidic type, it will still need six hours of bright light daily, which can be a tall order in Alberta winters. Put it in the sunniest window you have.

Like most tropical plants, citrus like to be moist but not wet. Expect them to consume more water when in fruit/ bloom and during the heat of the summer.

Water with room temperature water when the top five to seven centimetres of the soil is dry. Soak the soil thoroughly to rinse accumulating salts away. Afterwards, make sure to empty the saucer to avoid the dreaded wet feet.

Don't be in a rush to transplant. Citrus like to be somewhat snug and root-bound in their containers. If you buy it in a grower's pot - not very attractive for the living room - place the pot in another container with decorative rocks around it.

Misting your citrus every few days - especially if you don't have a humidifier to temper the furnace's dry heat - will keep it lush and help it fight off insect infestations. Make sure it's not above a heat register, or the leaves will quickly dry out.

If you have hard (alkaline) water, consider using distilled water for watering, or adding about a tablespoon of vinegar to a gallon of water to adjust the pH.

Citrus are heavy feeders and need regular fertilizing to yield. You can use 20-20-20 (which contains important micronutrients such as iron and magnesium), or a specialty citrus fertilizer. Pale leaves with green veins are evidence of nutrient deficiency.

During summer, you will probably want to enjoy your potted citrus outside with your other containers. With our intense Alberta sun, however, you may need to protect it from the afternoon scorch.

Calamondin oranges

Calamondins are the most popular and easy-to-grow indoor citrus. As the most ornamental variety, they also make a beautiful house guest.

Although not true oranges, calamondins produce scores of four-centimetre fruit, preceded by intoxicating, delicate white flowers. The fruit is edible (peels and all), and although it's sour, it's perfect for making marmalades or adding to summer drinks. It makes a zesty substitute for lemon.

You will need to be the "bee" and pollinate your calamondin. This is easier than it sounds; simply rub a small, dry paintbrush or Q-tip in all the flowers to spread the pollen around.

Don't be in a rush to pick the fruit. The ripening oranges are gorgeous on the branch and last for months, sweetening gradually as they hang.

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Citrus has an unfortunate reputation for being difficult to grow. While it's true that most Canadians aren't going to be able to grow an orange grove in their backyard, anyone with a bright window and a little love to give can enjoy citrus in their home throughout the year.